Crafting a chapter is much like painting a picture: you start with a vision, select your colors, and methodically bring your creation to life. But sometimes, translating that vision so others can see it too proves to be an intricate dance. One chapter in Once Upon A Claim that epitomized this challenge was “Bearskin.”
At its core, “Bearskin” serves as a metaphorical exploration of matching and the utilization of replacement parts on autos post-loss. The soldier in the tale, though physically altered and appearing repulsive, remains the same individual at heart. I saw this as a vivid illustration of the insurance dilemma: how can one replace parts so that the essence or the function remains unchanged, even if the appearance is altered? The underlying theme focused on the use of ‘generic’ parts and the tension between matching old products to new, with the looming fear of an aesthetic or functional mismatch.
Yet, while the correlation was clear to me, it became evident through feedback that my vision wasn't resonating as intended with my beta readers. They struggled to bridge the soldier’s transformation in “Bearskin” with the insurance principles of matching and replacement. The challenge was twofold: ensuring that the story remained engaging and that the insurance moral was unmistakable.
The road to refining “Bearskin” was paved with multiple rewrites. With each version, I aimed to sharpen the narrative, making the parallels between the soldier’s predicament and the world of insurance more pronounced. It was essential to strike a balance where the story stood strong on its own while seamlessly leading readers to its deeper insurance implications.
In hindsight, “Bearskin” was both a challenge and a revelation. It underscored the importance of clarity and reinforced the idea that, in storytelling, one must often revisit, reshape, and refine to ensure that the intended message shines through.
The journey of “Bearskin” is a testament to the meticulous crafting behind each chapter of Once Upon A Claim. It serves as a reminder that while the path to clarity may be winding, with persistence and passion, even the most complex concepts can find their perfect narrative home.
Commentaires